Happy anniversary for Woods

Tiger Woods celebrated his five-year anniversary of turning professional with yet another title to his name.

Woods came through the longest play-off on the US Tour for 10 years to win the NEC World Championship for the third successive year.

As he did 12 months ago, the world number one won with a tap-in birdie on the 464-yard 18th at the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.

But there the similarity ends. Whereas last season Woods won the million-dollar first prize by 11, this time it was at the seventh hole of sudden death with Jim Furyk.

And what a seven they were. Furyk holed a 40-foot bunker shot at the first after leaving his first attempt in the sand, Woods sank a 20-foot putt on the second, Furyk then missed putts of 15, 12 and 10 feet for the win, both produced a great escape and finally it was settled when Furyk drove into the trees and Woods produced his grandstand finish.

"It was a war. Neither of us gave an inch and it was fun to be involved in," said Woods, who has now won five of the eight world championship events he has taken part in since they were introduced two years ago.

His career earnings worldwide already stand at over 31million US dollars - and that is just on the course.

Reflecting on his first five years he says: "What I wanted to do was give myself a lot of chances to win. That's what all the great players in the history of our sport have done. They don't win every time, but at least they are there.

"I'm proud of the way I've been able to do that so far. I've won my share, but I've been beat a few times too.

"I just enjoy competing. To me that's the rush of it. Just the thrill of feeling the emotions and trying to deal with them and trying to pull off shots that you have to at those crucial times.

"It's fun and one of the reasons I practise as hard as I do is to put myself there as many times as I possibly can."